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      •   Research Commons
      • University of Waikato Research
      • Arts and Social Sciences
      • Māori & Psychology Research Unit
      • Māori and Psychology: Research and Practice Symposium 1999
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      •   Research Commons
      • University of Waikato Research
      • Arts and Social Sciences
      • Māori & Psychology Research Unit
      • Māori and Psychology: Research and Practice Symposium 1999
      • View Item
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      Maori women and dual ethnicity: Non-congruence, “passing” and “real Maori”

      Gibson, Kelly
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      Gibson, K. (1999). Maori women and dual ethnicity: Non-congruence, “passing” and “real Maori”. In Robertson, N. (Ed). Māori and psychology: Research and practice. Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the Māori & Psychology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton, Thursday 26th August 1999 (pp.54-58). Hamilton, New Zealand: Māori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato.
      Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/876
      Abstract
      In this study, I wanted to explore the often uncomfortable experience of having dual ethnicity. I did

      this through open-ended interviews with nine women, who, like me, were aged between 20 and 30

      and who identified as being of both Maori and Pakeha (or other) descent.

      While the women all identified as having dual ethnicity, as the interviews progressed it became

      clear that many of them had little pride in being of Pakeha descent and identified more strongly

      with their Maori heritage. In most instances the way they were identified by other people was

      incongruent with how the participants identified themselves. By virtue of having fair skin, many

      were able to “pass” as Pakeha. This provided them with certain advantages, notably being exempt

      from racist treatment. On the other hand, their appearance often resulted in them being labelled as

      not being a “real Maori.” Paradoxically, when they were identified as Maori, others, both Maori

      and non-Maori, sometimes expected them to be an expert in all things Maori. For most participants

      being a “real” Maori did not rely on looking Maori or on being able to speak Te Reo fluently.

      Instead, having whakapapa was considered the most essential element on which to base their Maori

      identity.
      Date
      1999
      Type
      Conference Contribution
      Publisher
      Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato
      Collections
      • Māori and Psychology: Research and Practice Symposium 1999 [11]
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